Ladders, metal chairs and steel cages: The Top 5 old school WWF matches

As the WWE prepares to bring its show to Springfield's MassMutual Center, we take a look back at what is considered the 'golden era' of professional wrestling.

Back in the 1980s and 90's, there were three things kids across the country did each and every day.

First, they were to say their prayers. Secondly, they made sure to eat their vitamins. And third, they smashed their brother over the face with a pillow, pretending it was a metal chair.

With all sorts of terrific memories from childhood flowing through the brain, here are what I consider the Top 5 matches in old school wrestling history:

5.) Hulk Hogan vs. Undertaker - Survivor Series 1991

I recall this match for what it was: the most devastating moment of my 8-year-old life. The hopes, dreams and lives of Hulkamaniacs across America were put to task that fateful November night. For what seemed like an eternity, the Hulkster was dragged around the mat by the upstart demon from below, the Undertaker and his creepy manager, Paul Bearer. In true Hulkster fashion, however, he battled back. Except this time, he didn't win. Dreams, hope, belief in what it meant to be a 'Real American' were gone in an instant.

4.) Bret 'The Hitman' Hart vs. British Bulldog - SummerSlam 1992

This was a classic. It matched perhaps the best technician in WWF history against the brutally powerful Bulldog from the UK. Perhaps that's why the end was so shocking. Hart set up the Bulldog for a tricky 'sunset flip' and tried pinning him, only to have the Bulldog reverse the pin and get the win! All this for the Intercontinental Championship to boot.

3.) Hulk Hogan vs. Ultimate Warrior - WrestleMania 6

This match pitted two icons in perhaps the most epic match of all time. Referees were knocked down, double clotheslines ensued, boots were put to faces and they hugged it out at the end. And Hogan, in a Jordanesque performance, did all this while battling a lower back injury. Epic all the way.

My former self considered this the event of the year. If I recall correctly, the match was an encore following the release of the movie, 'No Holds Barred.' This event was quite early in the history of the cage match but still qualifies as epic. This was the high point of Macho Man's 'bad guy' career and Zeus was a total beast.

1.) Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon - SummerSlam 1995 (Ladder Match)

Perhaps the turning point in Shawn Michaels' amazing career, this was the first ladder match in the history of the WWF. After both warriors fell hard from ladders while racing for the hanging Intercontinental Championship belt, Ramon set the Heartbreak Kid up for his vaunted 'Razor's Edge' only to be tossed out of the ring by his opponent. When Michaels finally came down with the belt and win, Ramon awkwardly took the belt, only to give it back to him, prompting announcer Gorilla Monsoon to exclaim, "That's what it's all about!"